From weeds to ‘community’s heart’: Buffalo Grove reveals plans for The Clove’s park

Buffalo Grove officials unveiled plans this week for the one-acre village-owned park at The Clove.

The target site is a patch of overgrown grass and weeds at the moment. But during a President’s Pick session hosted by Village President Eric Smith on Tuesday, Community Development Director Nicole Woods gave residents a peek at the plans for its development.

Woods said the site, which she called the “Civic Triangle” and “the heart of Buffalo Grove,” is expected to cost $5 million to develop, with funding drawn from the underlying Tax Increment Financing district. The goal is to break ground next year.

The village hired WRT Planning + Design at a cost of about $108,000 to develop the concept at The Clove, the former site of the Town Center at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads.

“We gave design consultants a huge laundry list for a one-acre park,” she said.

More than 1,000 residents provided input to the consultant during the public outreach process. Largely, responses focused on a place to socialize and hang out, a central focal point or core within the park and “active edges” that connect the park to surrounding commercial and residential activity.

Renderings show an outdoor area that can be used year round.

It includes a patio “living room” area and a shade structure.

Design features will include “Moraine Grove” mounds — gentle slopes of about four feet, inspired by the Chicago Botanic Garden and intended to serve as a visual and sound buffer. A public art sculpture is planned. In addition, pebble stone seating will serve both an aesthetic function and give children a place to play.

She said a “Gossip Grove” will furnish a place to dine and hang out in tree-filled setting.

A “Picnic Grove” will offer accessible picnic benches for people with strollers or wheelchairs.

She presented public programming ideas, such as fairs or markets and an ice rink.

Street and tree lighting, she said, would be integral to the plan, as would landscaping that would introduce native plantings.

Among those attending the program was resident Debbie Salvesen, who suggested installing a monument honoring first responders — police, fire, EMS and K9.

“They are an integral part of the fabric of this community,” Woods replied. “The plan for this park isn't completely done yet. There are plenty of opportunities, not just in Clove Park, but in a lot of other areas where we can look to integrate something.”